Could you be a West Sussex youth MP?

THE next UK Youth Parliament elections will take place in March 2013 – and potential West Sussex candidates are being asked to come forward now.

Anyone thinking of standing for the elections next year can register their early interest online via the Your Space website.

West Sussex is covered by four UK Youth Parliament areas. Candidates can stand for election in one of the four areas, in each area the two candidates with the most votes are elected as Members of the Youth Parliament (MYP) and Deputy MYPs.

The four geographical areas in West Sussex are:

-Chichester, West Arun

-Crawley, East Grinstead

-East Arun, Adur and Worthing

-Horsham and Mid Sussex

West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for children and families, Peter Evans said: “Nationally there are 500 MYPs across the UK, giving young people a voice about issues that affect them. At present, the UK Youth Parliament is running national campaigns on recycling, concessionary travel, and university fees.”

South East regional meetings are held every two months for West Sussex MYPs to attend, and they also hold surgeries in their area to listen to the views of young people living locally. They have monthly meetings with the West Sussex Youth Cabinet, and go to an annual sitting of all elected MYPs and a day of debate in the House of Commons.

MYPs are fully supported in their work by the County Council’s Youth Support and Development Service.

To stand for election you need to be aged between 11 to 19 yearsold. The elections will run from Friday, March 1, 2013, to Friday, March 29, 2013, young people will be able to vote via the Your Space website.

Those who register their interest in standing for the UK Youth Parliament will receive a candidate pack explaining more about the elections, the Youth Cabinet and information on running an election campaign.

To find out more on what being an MYP involves and to register your interest, visit the Your Space website http://www.yourspacewestsussex.co.uk/default.aspx?page=2570|www.yourspacewestsussex.co.uk},